More Than Human

By: Theodore Sturgeon

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki, Harlan Ellison

Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

In this genre-bending novel, among the first to have launched sci fi into literature, a group of remarkable social outcasts band together for survival and discover that their combined powers render them superhuman.

There's Lone, the simpleton who can hear other people's thoughts; Janie, who moves things without touching them; and the teleporting twins, who can travel ten feet or ten miles. There's Baby, who invented an antigravity engine while still in the cradle, and Gerry, who has everything it takes to run the world except for a conscience. Separately, they are talented freaks.

Together, they may represent the next step in evolution - or the final chapter in the history of the human race. As they struggle to find whether they are meant to help humanity or destroy it, Sturgeon explores questions of power and morality, individuality and belonging.

©1981 The Theodore Sturgeon Literary Trust (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"One of the best science fiction novels of the year." ( New York Times)
"A quantum leap in the development of science fiction as an art." ( Washington Post)
"A masterpiece of provocative storytelling." ( New York Herald Tribune)

Interesting story, great narrators

I really enjoyed the first two parts of the novel. I didn’t find them at all slow, as did some other reviewers. The ending was a bit of a let-down, but not enough to diminish the pleasure that went before. Both narrators were wonderful.

PsyFi at its best.

Masterful storytelling of the balance of morality, and ethics in a sci-fi matrix. Sometimes thoughtful, sometimes painful, sometimes joyful.

Does show its age, still a good story

Shows its age in many of the internal references, for instance, the horse used for farm work. Should have been jarring, but I remember watching a man plow a field with a horse 3 years after this was published. (And that was not in the rural South, but on Long Island, NY, 1/2 hour drive from Levittown.
Got tediously messianic in the last ten minutes or so.

Wow’ so well told

This is my fifteen words to say”Wow”. Always liked Sturgeon as a kid, but didn’t come across this one until now
Wow. And awesome

Snail's pace start. But...

...worth every moment used for contemplating whether or not you want to finish.

At but 8'ish hours long, I went all in.

Amazingly thankful I did, for this book does indeed break the norm.

Major props to the author and the actors.

Cheers from Southwest Ohio

original and captivating

all the best scifi has already been written and this book is the perfect example of that.

Incredible book

This book is one of my favorites of all time. …. Inspired , imaginative and poetic. It is a classic

Must listen

What a fantastic book. Amazingly thought provoking, well read, and written by a writer with a real gift for language.

I am a big fan of Mr. Rudnicki, and although Mr. Ellison is a radical change after listening to Mr. Rudnicki I quickly came to love his narration as well.

If there is any drawback to this book it is that it starts a bit slowly and you find yourself asking where in the world is this thing going? However, it is absolutely worth waiting for.

I highly recommend this book, a fantastic story, an awesome concept, and a very satisfying ending. Enjoy!

Powerful stuff

This is one of the grand old pieces from a certain high art period of the genre. Not to say the new stuff isn't fantastic in its way, but the language here is so simple and exquisite. The rough and rowdy kids remind of R.A. Lafferty's brats. The writing is akin to Harlan Ellison who wonderfully reads along with the barotone Stefan Rudnicki. The whole thing is a knockout.

ahead of it's time

read 30 years ago, always considered one of my better read. highly recommend and very enjoyable.....